Sunderland were "secretly fined" by the Premier League for fielding Ji Dong-Won in five matches, reports Charlie Wyett of The Sun (subscription required).

The South Korea international played in four league games and the Capital One Cup win over MK Dons earlier this season, despite not having international clearance, claims the article.

The Black Cats raised the error with the Premier League themselves, and they were handed a fine by the governing body and the Football League.

However, Ji helped Sunderland gain a point in one game against Southampton, which could lead to questions from other struggling Premier League clubs about why no point deduction was enforced, warns Wyett.

MK Dons have spoken with the Football League over clarification on the issue, adds the report.

The agent for Dnipro winger Yevhen Konoplyanka has hinted that Liverpool have resumed their interest in the player, reports David Kent of the Daily Mail.

The Reds targeted the Ukraine international during the January transfer window, and they even had a delegation in the eastern Europe country to finalise the move before the deal fell flat before the window closed, notes the article.

But now Konoplyanka's representative James Lippett made a cryptic suggestion on his Twitter feed, @JamLipp78, saying: "En route to Liverpool..."

Manchester United will need the Football Association's permission to play lucrative friendlies around the world next season if they fail to qualify for Europe, reports Mark Ogden of the Daily Telegraph.

According to the report, United will seek to play in friendlies across the globe to offset the loss of Champions League finances next season.

But Ogden warns that the club will need the green light from the FA to take part in such matches during the season.